424B5
Table of Contents

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-204376

Prospectus

 

LOGO

TransAtlantic Petroleum Ltd.

$200,000,000

Common Shares

Undesignated Shares

Warrants

Debt Securities

 

 

TransAtlantic Petroleum Ltd. may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings at prices and on terms that will be determined at the time of any such offering, up to $200,000,000 in aggregate initial offering price of common shares, undesignated shares, warrants or debt securities. We will provide the specific terms of any offering and the offered securities in supplements to this prospectus. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the risk factors incorporated by reference herein or included in any prospectus supplement carefully before you make your investment decision.

We may sell our securities to or through agents or underwriters as designated from time to time, or though a combination of these methods. For additional information on the method of sales, you should refer to the section of this prospectus entitled “Plan of Distribution.” If any agents, dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale of our securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the names of the underwriters and any applicable commission or discounts. We may also sell securities directly to investors.

This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement which will describe the method and the terms of the related offering. Our common shares are traded in Canadian dollars on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “TNP” and are traded in U.S. dollars on the NYSE MKT under the symbol “TAT”. On June 17, 2015, the closing price of our common shares on the NYSE MKT was $5.43 per share.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is June 18, 2015.

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

  i   

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

  1   

TRANSATLANTIC PETROLEUM LTD.

  2   

RISK FACTORS

  2   

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

  3   

USE OF PROCEEDS

  3   

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

  4   

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

  7   

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

  8   

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

  25   

LEGAL MATTERS

  28   

EXPERTS

  28   

INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS

  28   

MATERIAL CHANGES

  29   

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

  29   

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

  30   

 

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any person to provide you with different information. This prospectus is not an offer to sell, nor is it an offer to buy, these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted. The information in this prospectus is complete and accurate as of the date on the front cover, but the information may have changed since that date.

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $200.0 million. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of that offering and the manner in which the securities will be offered, including the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities offered. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, together with the additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”

You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement is only accurate as of the date on its respective cover and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, properties, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this prospectus to “TransAtlantic,” “we,” “us,” and “our” are to TransAtlantic Petroleum Ltd. and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. All references to “$” or “dollars” in this prospectus refer to U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated. Canadian dollars is abbreviated Cdn$.

 

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this prospectus are “forward-looking statements” and are prospective. Such statements are generally identifiable by the terminology used such as “plans,” “expects,” “estimates,” “budgets,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “projects,” “indicates,” “targets,” “objective,” “could,” “should,” “may” or other similar words.

By their very nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions that may not materialize or that may not be accurate. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity and achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including the factors discussed under Item 1A. Risk Factors in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following: fluctuations in and volatility of the market prices for oil and natural gas products; the ability to produce and transport oil and natural gas; the results of exploration and development drilling and related activities; global economic conditions, particularly in the countries in which we carry on business, especially economic slowdowns; actions by governmental authorities including increases in taxes, legislative and regulatory initiatives related to fracture stimulation activities, changes in environmental and other regulations, and renegotiations of contracts; political uncertainty, including actions by insurgent groups or other conflicts; the negotiation and closing of material contracts; future capital requirements and the availability of financing; estimates and economic assumptions used in connection with our acquisitions; risks associated with drilling, operating and decommissioning wells; actions of third-party co-owners of interests in properties in which we also own an interest; our ability to effectively integrate companies and properties that we acquire; and the other factors discussed in other documents that we file with or furnish to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and Canadian securities regulatory authorities. The impact of any one factor on a particular forward-looking statement is not determinable with certainty as such factors are interdependent upon other factors and our course of action would depend upon our assessment of the future, considering all information then available. In that regard, any statements as to: future oil or natural gas production levels; capital expenditures; the allocation of capital expenditures to exploration and development activities; sources of funding for our capital expenditure programs; drilling of new wells; demand for oil and natural gas products; expenditures and allowances relating to environmental matters; dates by which certain areas will be developed or will come on-stream; expected finding and development costs; future production rates; ultimate recoverability of reserves, including the ability to convert probable and possible reserves to proved reserves; dates by which transactions are expected to close; future cash flows, uses of cash flows, collectability of receivables and availability of trade credit; expected operating costs; changes in any of the foregoing and other statements using forward-looking terminology are forward-looking statements, and there can be no assurance that the expectations conveyed by such forward-looking statements will, in fact, be realized.

Although we believe that the expectations conveyed by the forward-looking statements are reasonable based on information available to us on the date such forward-looking statements were made, no assurances can be given as to future results, levels of activity, achievements or financial condition.

Readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement and should recognize that the statements are predictions of future results, which may not occur as anticipated. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements and from historical results, due to the risks and uncertainties described above, as well as others not now anticipated. The foregoing statements are not exclusive and further information concerning us, including factors that potentially could materially affect our financial results, may emerge from time to time. We do not intend to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in factors or assumptions affecting such forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

 

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TRANSATLANTIC PETROLEUM LTD.

We are an international oil and natural gas company engaged in acquisition, exploration, development and production. We have focused our operations in countries that have established, yet underexplored, petroleum systems, are net importers of petroleum, have an existing petroleum transportation infrastructure and provide favorable commodity pricing, royalty rates and tax rates to exploration and production companies. As of December 31, 2014, we held interests in approximately 1.8 million net acres of developed and undeveloped oil and natural gas properties in Turkey, Albania and Bulgaria. As of March 1, 2015, approximately 36% of our outstanding Common Shares were beneficially owned by N. Malone Mitchell 3rd, the chairman of our board of directors and our chief executive officer.

We were incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, Canada on October 1, 1985 under the name Profco Resources Ltd. and continued to the jurisdiction of Alberta, Canada under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) on June 10, 1997. Effective December 2, 1998, we changed our name to TransAtlantic Petroleum Corp. Effective October 1, 2009, we continued to the jurisdiction of Bermuda under the Bermuda Companies Act 1981 from the Province of Alberta and changed our name to TransAtlantic Petroleum Ltd. Our principal executive office is located at 16803 Dallas Parkway, Addison, Texas 75001. Our telephone number is (214) 220-4323. Our website address is www.transatlanticpetroleum.com. Except for any documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus that may be accessed from our website, the information available on or through our website is not part of this prospectus.

RISK FACTORS

Investors should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties and all other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including the risks and uncertainties discussed under “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K, and all other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the risk factors and other information contained in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Any of these risks and uncertainties could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. The trading price of our common shares could decline due to the occurrence of any of these risks and uncertainties, and investors could lose all or part of their investment. In assessing these risks and uncertainties, investors should also refer to the information contained or incorporated by reference in our other filings with the SEC.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth our ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated. You should read these ratios in connection with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Because we did not have preferred stock outstanding during any such periods, our ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred dividends for any given period is equivalent to our ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

 

     Three
Months
Ended
March 31,
2015
     Year Ended December 31,  
        2014      2013      2012      2011      2010  

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     —             7.8x         —             1.0x         —           —     

Deficiency of earnings to fixed charges (in thousands)

   $ 7,282         —         $ 16,093       $ —         $ 93,804       $ 36,862   

For purposes of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, “earnings” represents income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes plus fixed charges. “Fixed charges” includes interest expense, capitalized interest, amortization of discount and capitalized expenses related to indebtedness and the portion of rental expense that management believes is representative of the interest component of rental expense. The ratio of earnings to fixed charges presented in this prospectus may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies, and may not be comparable to corresponding measures used in our various agreements, including the Senior Credit Facility.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds of the securities offered by this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include an increase in working capital, the repayment or refinancing of outstanding indebtedness and the acquisition of assets or businesses. We will set forth in the prospectus supplement our intended use for the net proceeds received from the sale of any securities.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Shares Generally

Pursuant to our Altered Memorandum of Continuance (the “Memorandum of Continuance”) and our Amended Bye-Laws (the “Bye-Laws”), we are authorized to issue 100,000,000 Common Shares of par value $0.10 each and 100,000,000 undesignated shares of par value $0.01 each. The Bye-Laws permit our board of directors to authorize us to repurchase our shares whether for cancellation or to be held as treasury shares, provided we are, after the repurchase, able to pay our liabilities as they become due. The Bye-Laws permit us to issue redeemable shares.

Common Shares

Holders of our Common Shares are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders. The Bye-Laws do not provide for cumulative voting. Any action to be taken by the shareholders at any meeting at which a quorum is in attendance is decided by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at such meeting, except as otherwise set forth in the Bye-Laws or the Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda.

An amendment of certain specified provisions of the Bye-Laws requires an affirmative vote of at least 80% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares entitled to vote, and any alteration or abrogation of any rights attached to any class of shares requires (i) consent in writing of 100% of the issued shares of that class or (ii) the approval of the holders of not less than 75% of the issued shares of that class. In addition, the following actions requires an affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes cast: amalgamations, sale, lease or exchange of substantially all of our assets, voluntary winding up or continuance to a foreign jurisdiction. There are no limitations imposed by Bermuda law or the Bye-Laws on the right of shareholders who are not Bermuda residents to hold or vote their Common Shares. Holders of our Common Shares do not have any pre-emptive rights.

Under the Bye-Laws and Bermuda law, our board of directors may declare and pay dividends from time to time unless there are reasonable grounds for believing that we are, or after the payment would be, unable to pay our liabilities as they become due or that the realizable value of our assets would thereby be less than the aggregate of our liabilities and issued share capital and share premium accounts. Each Common Share is entitled to dividends only if, as and when dividends are declared by our board of directors. The payment of future dividends, if any, is determined by our board of directors.

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of Common Shares are entitled to share rateably in proportion to their shareholding in our assets, if any, remaining after the payment of all of our debts and liabilities, subject to any liquidation preference on any outstanding preference shares.

Undesignated Shares

The Memorandum of Continuance and the Bye-Laws authorize the issuance of 100,000,000 undesignated shares. The undesignated shares may be issued with such preferred, qualified or other special rights, privileges and conditions and subject to such restrictions, as the board of directors may determine, in one or more series. The issuance of shares with voting rights, conversion rights or preferential rights could adversely affect the voting power of our holders of Common Shares and could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control. Preferred shares could have preferences over Common Shares with respect to liquidation rights or dividends.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

The broad discretion given to our board of directors to designate and issue shares from our undesignated shares could be deemed to have an anti-takeover affect, as could the super-majority requirements for certain shareholder votes as described above.

 

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Director and Officer Indemnity

The Bye-Laws require us to indemnify our officers and directors against all liabilities, loss, damage or expense incurred or suffered by such person in such capacity or by reason of any act done, conceived or omitted in the conduct of our business or in the discharge of such person’s duties; provided that such indemnification shall not extend to any matter which would render it void pursuant to Bermuda law. Bermuda law permits us to indemnify directors and officers against liability attaching to them arising from their duties, but such indemnification may not extend to acts of fraud or dishonesty. The Bye-Laws require us to advance funds to directors or officers for their defense upon receipt of an undertaking to repay the funds if any allegation of fraud or dishonesty is proved, and only if such advance is specifically authorized in accordance with Bye-Law 44.6. The Bye-Laws permit the purchase of indemnity insurance.

Foreign Exchange Control Regulations

We have been designated as a non-resident for Bermuda exchange control purposes by the Bermuda Monetary Authority. Because of this designation, there are no restrictions on our ability to transfer funds in and out of Bermuda.

The transfer of shares between persons regarded as resident outside Bermuda for exchange control purposes and the sale of our Common Shares to or by such persons may take place without specific consent under the Exchange Control Act 1972. Issuances and transfers of shares involving any person regarded as resident in Bermuda for exchange control purposes require specific approval under the Exchange Control Act 1972.

As an “exempted company,” we are exempt from Bermuda laws which restrict the percentage of share capital that may be held by non-Bermuda residents, but as an exempted company, we may not participate in certain business transactions, including: (1) the acquisition or holding of land in Bermuda (except that required for our business and held by way of lease or tenancy for terms of not more than 50 years) without the express authorization of the Bermuda legislature, (2) the taking of mortgages on land in Bermuda to secure an amount in excess of $50,000 without the consent of the Minister of Finance, (3) the acquisition of any bonds or debentures secured by any land in Bermuda, other than certain types of Bermuda government securities or (4) the carrying on of business of any kind in Bermuda, except in furtherance of our business carried on outside Bermuda.

Bermuda Tax Considerations

The following describes a summary of some of the material tax consequences of an investment in our Common Shares under Bermuda laws. Each prospective investor should consult its own tax advisors regarding tax consequences of an investment in our Common Shares.

In Bermuda there are no taxes on profits, income or dividends, nor is there any capital gains tax, estate duty or death duty. Profits can be accumulated and it is not obligatory for a company to pay dividends. In addition, stamp duty is not chargeable to any shareholder in respect of the incorporation, registration or licensing of an exempted company, nor, subject to certain minor exceptions, on their transactions. No reciprocal tax treaty affecting us exists between Bermuda and the United States.

The Bermuda government has enacted legislation under which the Minister of Finance is authorized to give a tax assurance to an exempted company or a partnership that, in the event of there being enacted in Bermuda any legislation imposing tax computed on profits or income or computed on any capital asset, gain or appreciation, then the imposition of any such tax shall not be applicable to such entities or any of their operations. In addition, there may be included an assurance that any such tax or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax, shall not be applicable to the share, debentures or other obligations of such entities.

 

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We received an assurance from the Minister of Finance of Bermuda under the Exempted Undertakings Tax Protection Act 1966, as amended, that in the event that Bermuda enacts any legislation imposing tax computed on profits, income, any capital asset, gain or appreciation, we and any of our operations or our shares, debentures or other obligations shall be exempt from the imposition of such tax until March 31, 2035, provided that such exemption shall not prevent the application of any tax payable in accordance with the provisions of the Land Tax Act, 1967 or otherwise payable in relation to land in Bermuda leased to us.

Registrar and Transfer Agent

The registrar and transfer agent for our Common Shares is Computershare Investor Services Inc., 530-8th Avenue SW, 6th Floor, Calgary AB, T2P 3S8.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

The following description of the terms of warrants we may issue sets forth certain general terms and provisions of any warrants to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of warrants offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which these general terms and provisions may apply to those warrants will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants. The applicable prospectus supplement may also state that any of the terms set forth in this description are inapplicable to such warrants. This description does not purport to be complete.

We may issue warrants, including warrants to purchase common shares and undesignated shares. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any such underlying warrant securities and may be attached to or separate from such underlying warrant securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement, the specific terms of any warrants offered thereby, including:

 

    the title or designation of such warrants;

 

    the aggregate number of such warrants;

 

    the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued;

 

    the currency or currencies, including composite currencies or currency units, in which the exercise price of such warrants may be payable;

 

    the designation, aggregate principal amount and terms of the underlying warrant securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants, and the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the warrants;

 

    the price at which the underlying warrant securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants may be purchased;

 

    the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;

 

    if applicable, whether such warrants will be issued in registered form or bearer form;

 

    if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time;

 

    if applicable, the number, designation and terms of the underlying warrant securities issuable upon exercise of such warrants;

 

    if applicable, the currency or currencies, including composite currencies or currency units, in which any principal, premium, if any, or interest on the underlying warrant securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrant will be payable;

 

    if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related underlying warrant securities will be separately transferable;

 

    if applicable, any anti-dilutive rights of such warrants;

 

    information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

 

    if applicable, a discussion of any material Bermuda tax considerations;

 

    if applicable, a discussion of certain federal income tax considerations; and

 

    any other terms of such warrants, including terms procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following description sets forth some general terms and provisions of the debt securities to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which such general terms and provisions may not apply to the debt securities so offered will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities. If there are any differences between the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities and this prospectus, the prospectus supplement will control with respect to such debt securities. For more information please refer to the applicable indenture. Capitalized terms used in this prospectus that are not defined will have the meanings given to them in these documents.

General

We may issue debt securities in one or more series. When used in this Description of Debt Securities section, unless we state otherwise or the context clearly indicates otherwise, references to “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer only to TransAtlantic Petroleum Ltd.

We may issue senior or subordinated debt securities. The senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities may be secured by some or all of our property or assets.

The senior debt securities will constitute part of our senior debt, will be issued under our senior debt indenture described below and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt.

The subordinated debt securities will constitute part of our subordinated debt, will be issued under our subordinated debt indenture described below and will be subordinate in right of payment to all of our “senior debt,” as defined in the indenture with respect to such subordinated debt securities. The prospectus supplement for any series of subordinated debt securities or the information incorporated in this prospectus by reference will indicate the approximate amount of senior debt outstanding as of the end of the then most recent fiscal quarter. Neither indenture limits our ability to incur additional senior debt or other indebtedness.

When we refer to “debt securities” in this prospectus, we mean both the senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities.

The debt indentures and their associated documents, including your debt security, contain the full legal text of the matters described in this section and your prospectus supplement. We have filed forms of the indentures with the SEC as exhibits to our registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus for information on how to obtain copies of them.

This section and your prospectus supplement summarize material terms of the indentures and your debt security. They do not, however, describe every aspect of the indentures and your debt security. For example, in this section and your prospectus supplement, we use terms that have been given special meaning in the indentures, but we describe the meaning for only the more important of those terms. Your prospectus supplement will have a more detailed description of the specific terms of your debt security.

Indentures

The senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities are each governed by a document called an indenture. Each indenture is a contract between us and a trustee to be named prior to the issuance of debt securities thereunder. The indentures are substantially identical, except for certain provisions including those relating to subordination, which are included only in the indenture related to subordinated debt securities.

 

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The trustee under each indenture has two main roles:

 

    First, the trustee can enforce your rights against us if we default. There are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on your behalf, which we describe later under “—Default, Remedies and Waiver of Default.”

 

    Second, the trustee performs administrative duties for us, such as sending you interest payments and notices.

When we refer to “the indenture” or “the trustee” with respect to any debt securities, we mean the indenture under which those debt securities are issued and the trustee under that indenture.

Series of Debt Securities

We may issue as many distinct debt securities or series of debt securities under either indenture as we wish. This section summarizes terms of the securities that apply generally to all debt securities and series of debt securities. The provisions of each indenture allow us not only to issue debt securities with terms different from those of debt securities previously issued under that indenture, but also to “reopen” a previously issued series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of that series. We will describe most of the financial and other specific terms of your series, whether it is a series of the senior debt securities or the subordinated debt securities, in the prospectus supplement for that series. Those terms may vary from the terms described here.

As you read this section, please remember that the specific terms of your debt security as described in your prospectus supplement will supplement and, if applicable, modify or replace the general terms described in this section. If there are any differences between your prospectus supplement and this prospectus with respect to your debt security, your prospectus supplement will control. Thus, the statements we make in this section may not apply to your debt security.

When we refer to “debt securities” or a “series of debt securities,” we mean, respectively, debt securities or a series of debt securities issued under the applicable indenture. When we refer to “your prospectus supplement,” we mean the prospectus supplement describing the specific terms of the debt security you purchase. The terms used in your prospectus supplement will have the meanings described in this prospectus, unless otherwise specified.

Amounts of Issuances

Neither indenture limits the aggregate amount of debt securities that we may issue or the number of series or the aggregate amount of any particular series. We may issue debt securities and other securities at any time without your consent and without notifying you.

The indentures and the debt securities do not limit our ability to incur other indebtedness or to issue other securities. Also, unless otherwise specified below or in your prospectus supplement, we are not subject to financial or similar restrictions by the terms of the debt securities.

Principal Amount, Stated Maturity and Maturity

Unless otherwise stated, the principal amount of a debt security means the principal amount payable at its stated maturity, unless that amount is not determinable, in which case the principal amount of a debt security is its face amount.

The term “stated maturity” with respect to any debt security means the day on which the principal amount of your debt security is scheduled to become due. The principal may become due sooner, by reason of redemption, acceleration after a default or otherwise in accordance with the terms of the debt security. The day on which the principal actually becomes due, whether at the stated maturity or earlier, is called the “maturity” of the principal.

 

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We also use the terms “stated maturity” and “maturity” to refer to the days when other payments become due. For example, we may refer to a regular interest payment date when an installment of interest is scheduled to become due as the “stated maturity” of that installment. When we refer to the “stated maturity” or the “maturity” of a debt security without specifying a particular payment, we mean the stated maturity or maturity, as the case may be, of the principal.

Specific Terms of Debt Securities

Your prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of your debt security, which will include some or all of the following:

 

    the title of the series of your debt security and whether it is a senior debt security or a subordinated debt security;

 

    any limit on the total principal amount of the debt securities of the same series;

 

    the stated maturity;

 

    the currency or currencies for principal and interest, if not U.S. dollars;

 

    the price at which we originally issue your debt security, expressed as a percentage of the principal amount, and the original issue date;

 

    whether your debt security is a fixed rate debt security, a floating rate debt security or an indexed debt security;

 

    if your debt security is a fixed rate debt security, the yearly rate at which your debt security will bear interest, if any, and the interest payment dates;

 

    if your debt security is a floating rate debt security, the interest rate basis; any applicable index currency or index maturity, spread or spread multiplier or initial base rate, maximum rate or minimum rate; the interest reset, determination, calculation and payment dates; the day count convention used to calculate interest payments for any period; the business day convention; and the calculation agent;

 

    if your debt security is an indexed debt security, the principal amount, if any, we will pay you at maturity, interest payment dates, the amount of interest, if any, we will pay you on an interest payment date or the formula we will use to calculate these amounts, if any, and the terms on which your debt security will be exchangeable for or payable in cash, securities or other property;

 

    if your debt security may be converted into or exercised or exchanged for common or preferred stock or other securities of the Company or debt or equity securities of one or more third parties, the terms on which conversion, exercise or exchange may occur, including whether conversion, exercise or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, the period during which conversion, exercise or exchange may occur, the initial conversion, exercise or exchange price or rate and the circumstances or manner in which the amount of common or preferred stock or other securities issuable upon conversion, exercise or exchange may be adjusted;

 

    if your debt security is also an original issue discount debt security, the yield to maturity;

 

    if applicable, the circumstances under which your debt security may be redeemed at our option or repaid at the holder’s option before the stated maturity, including any redemption commencement date, repayment date(s), redemption price(s) and redemption period(s);

 

    the terms, if any, of the grant of any lien, mortgage, pledge or assignment of any properties or assets as collateral to secure the debt securities of the series and any corresponding changes to provisions of the indenture as then in effect;

 

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    the authorized denominations, if other than $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000;

 

    the depositary for your debt security, if other than The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), and any circumstances under which the holder may request securities in non-global form, if we choose not to issue your debt security in book-entry form only;

 

    if applicable, the circumstances under which we will pay additional amounts on any debt securities held by a person who is not a United States person for tax purposes and under which we can redeem the debt securities if we have to pay additional amounts;

 

    the names and duties of any co-trustees, depositaries, authenticating agents, paying agents, transfer agents or registrars for your debt security, as applicable; and

 

    any other terms of your debt security, which could be different from those described in this prospectus.

Governing Law

The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by New York law.

Form of Debt Securities

We will issue each debt security only in registered form, without coupons, unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. In addition, we will issue each debt security in global—i.e., book-entry—form only, unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. Debt securities in book-entry form will be represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary, which will be the holder of all the debt securities represented by the global security. Those who own beneficial interests in a global debt security will do so through participants in the depositary’s securities clearance system, and the rights of these indirect owners will be governed solely by the applicable procedures of the depositary and its participants. References to “holders” in this section mean those who own debt securities registered in their own names, on the books that we or the trustee maintain for this purpose, and not those who own beneficial interests in debt securities registered in street name or in debt securities issued in book-entry form through one or more depositaries.

Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the following is a summary of the depositary arrangements applicable to debt securities issued in global form and for which DTC acts as depositary.

Each global debt security will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC, as depositary, or its nominee, and registered in the name of a nominee of DTC. Except under the limited circumstances described below, global debt securities are not exchangeable for definitive certificated debt securities.

Ownership of beneficial interests in a global debt security is limited to institutions that have accounts with DTC or its nominee, or persons that may hold interests through those participants. In addition, ownership of beneficial interests by participants in a global debt security will be evidenced only by, and the transfer of that ownership interest will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee for a global debt security. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global debt security by persons that hold those interests through participants will be evidenced only by, and the transfer of that ownership interest within that participant will be effected only through, records maintained by that participant. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the debt securities. Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase, but beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the participants through which the beneficial owners entered the transaction. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities they purchase in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global debt security.

 

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We will make payment of principal of, and interest on, debt securities represented by a global debt security registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner and holder of the global debt security representing those debt securities. DTC has advised us that upon receipt of any payment of principal of, or interest on, a global debt security, DTC immediately will credit accounts of participants on its book-entry registration and transfer system with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective interests in the principal amount of that global debt security, as shown in the records of DTC. Payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global debt security held through those participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the sole responsibility of those participants, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements that may be in effect from time to time.

Neither we, any trustee nor any of our respective agents will be responsible for any aspect of the records of DTC, any nominee or any participant relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a permanent global debt security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of the records of DTC, any nominee or any participant relating to such beneficial interests.

A global debt security is exchangeable for definitive debt securities registered in the name of, and a transfer of a global debt security may be registered to, any person other than DTC or its nominee, only if:

 

    DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for that global security or has ceased to be a registered clearing agency and we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within 90 days; or

 

    we notify the trustee that we wish to terminate that global security.

Any global debt security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence will be exchangeable in whole for definitive debt securities in registered form, of like tenor and of an equal aggregate principal amount as the global debt security, in denominations specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, if other than $2,000 and multiples of $1,000. The definitive debt securities will be registered by the registrar in the name or names instructed by DTC. We expect that these instructions may be based upon directions received by DTC from its participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global debt security.

Except as provided above, owners of the beneficial interests in a global debt security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of debt securities in definitive form and will not be considered the holders of debt securities for any purpose under the indentures. No global debt security shall be exchangeable except for another global debt security of like denomination and tenor to be registered in the name of DTC or its nominee. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global debt security must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which that person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the global debt security or the indentures.

We understand that, under existing industry practices, in the event that we request any action of holders, or an owner of a beneficial interest in a global debt security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the debt securities or the indentures, DTC would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take that action. Additionally, those participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through those participants to give or take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.

DTC has advised us that it is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities of its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions among its participants in securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the participants. By doing so, DTC eliminates the need for

 

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physical movement of securities certificates. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is owned by a number of its participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. and NYSE Amex Equities. Access to DTC’s book-entry system is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers, and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

Investors may hold interests in the debt securities outside the U.S. through the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”) or Clearstream Banking (“Clearstream”) if they are participants in those systems, or indirectly through organizations which are participants in those systems. Euroclear and Clearstream will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in Euroclear’s and Clearstream’s names on the books of their respective depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers’ securities accounts in the depositaries’ names on the books of DTC.

Euroclear advises that it was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of Euroclear (“Euroclear Participants”) and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear Participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Euroclear includes various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. Euroclear is operated by the Euroclear S.A./N.V. (the “Euroclear Operator”), under contract with Euroclear Clearance Systems S.C., a Belgian cooperative corporation (the “Cooperative”). All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator, not the Cooperative. The Cooperative establishes policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear Participants. Euroclear Participants include banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries and may include any agents. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear Participant, either directly or indirectly.

Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear, the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System, and applicable Belgian law (collectively, the “Terms and Conditions”). The Terms and Conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of Euroclear Participants and has no record of or relationship with persons holding through Euroclear Participants.

Distributions with respect to debt securities held beneficially through Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of Euroclear Participants in accordance with the Terms and Conditions, to the extent received by the U.S. depositary for Euroclear.

Clearstream advises that it is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depositary. Clearstream holds securities for its participating organizations (“Clearstream Participants”) and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Clearstream Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Clearstream Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream provides to Clearstream Participants, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. As a professional depositary, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Monetary Institute. Clearstream Participants are recognized financial institutions around the world, including agents, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations and may include any agents. Indirect access to Clearstream is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream Participant either directly or indirectly.

 

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Distributions with respect to debt securities held beneficially through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of Clearstream Participants in accordance with its rules and procedures, to the extent received by the U.S. depositary for Clearstream.

We have provided the descriptions herein of the operations and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream and are subject to change by them from time to time. We believe that the sources from which the information in this section and elsewhere in this prospectus concerning DTC, Euroclear, the Euroclear Operator, the Cooperative, Euroclear’s system, Clearstream and Clearstream’s system has been obtained are reliable, but neither we, any underwriters nor the trustee takes any responsibility for the accuracy of the information.

Initial settlement for the securities will be made in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC’s rules and will be settled in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between Euroclear Participants and/or Clearstream Participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and operating procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream, as applicable, and will be settled using the procedures applicable to conventional eurobonds in immediately available funds.

Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through DTC, on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Euroclear Participants or Clearstream Participants, on the other, will be effected in DTC in accordance with DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by its U.S. depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (European time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its U.S. depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving securities in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear Participants and Clearstream Participants may not deliver instructions directly to their respective U.S. depositaries.

Because of time-zone differences, credits of securities received in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of a transaction with a DTC participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following the DTC settlement date. Credits or any transactions in securities settled during this processing will be reported to the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream Participants on that following business day. Cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of sales of debt securities by or through a Euroclear Participant or a Clearstream Participant to a DTC participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream cash account only as of the business day following settlement in DTC.

Although DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of securities among participants of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform these procedures and these procedures may be discontinued at any time.

Redemption or Repayment

If there are any provisions regarding redemption or repayment applicable to your debt security, we will describe them in your prospectus supplement.

We or our affiliates may purchase debt securities from investors who are willing to sell from time to time, either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. Debt securities that we or they purchase may, at our discretion, be held, resold or canceled.

 

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Mergers and Similar Transactions

We are generally permitted under the indentures to merge or consolidate with another corporation or other entity. We are also permitted under the indentures to sell all or substantially all of our assets to another corporation or other entity. With regard to any series of debt securities, however, we may not take any of these actions unless all the following conditions, among other things, are met:

 

    If the successor entity in the transaction is not the Company, the successor entity must be organized as a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or trust and must expressly assume our obligations under the debt securities of that series and the indenture with respect to that series. The successor entity may be organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

    Immediately after the transaction, no default under the debt securities of that series has occurred and is continuing. For this purpose, “default under the debt securities of that series” means an event of default with respect to that series or any event that would be an event of default with respect to that series if the requirements for giving us default notice and for our default having to continue for a specific period of time were disregarded. We describe these matters below under “—Default, Remedies and Waiver of Default.”

If the conditions described above are satisfied with respect to the debt securities of any series, we will not need to obtain the approval of the holders of those debt securities in order to merge or consolidate or to sell all or substantially all our assets. Also, these conditions will apply only if we wish to merge or consolidate with another entity or sell all or substantially all of our assets to another entity. We will not need to satisfy these conditions if we enter into other types of transactions, including any transaction in which we acquire the stock or assets of another entity, any transaction that involves a change of control of the Company but in which we do not merge or consolidate and any transaction in which we sell less than substantially all our assets.

The successor entity will be substituted for the Company with respect to the debt securities of any series and under the indenture with the same effect as if it had been an original party to the indenture, and, except in the case of a lease, the Company will be relieved from any further obligations and covenants under the indenture.

Subordination Provisions

Holders of subordinated debt securities should recognize that contractual provisions in the subordinated debt indenture may prohibit us from making payments on those securities. Subordinated debt securities are subordinate in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner stated in the subordinated debt indenture, to all of our senior debt, as defined in the subordinated debt indenture, including all debt securities we have issued and will issue under the senior debt indenture.

The subordinated debt indenture defines “senior debt” as any indebtedness permitted under the terms of that indenture, unless the instrument under which such indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is on a parity with or subordinated in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, “senior debt” will not include: (i) equity interests; (ii) any liability for taxes; (iii) any indebtedness to any of our subsidiaries or affiliates; (iv) any trade payables; or (v) any indebtedness incurred in violation of the subordinated debt indenture.

We may modify the subordination provisions, including the definition of senior debt, with respect to one or more series of subordinated debt securities. Such modifications will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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The subordinated debt indenture provides that, unless all principal of and any premium or interest on the senior debt has been paid in full, no payment or other distribution may be made in respect of any subordinated debt securities in the following circumstances:

 

    in the event of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization, assignment for creditors or other similar proceedings or events involving us or our assets;

 

    (a) in the event and during the continuation of any default in the payment of principal of and any premium and interest on any senior debt beyond any applicable grace period or (b) in the event that any event of default with respect to any senior debt has occurred and is continuing, permitting the holders of that senior debt (or a trustee or other representative) to accelerate the maturity of that senior debt, whether or not the maturity is in fact accelerated (unless, in the case of (a) or (b), the payment default or event of default has been cured or waived or ceased to exist and any related acceleration has been rescinded) or (c) in the event that any judicial proceeding is pending with respect to a payment default or event of default described in (a) or (b); or

 

    in the event that any subordinated debt securities have been declared due and payable before their stated maturity.

If the trustee under the subordinated debt indenture or any holders of the subordinated debt securities receive any payment or distribution that is prohibited under the subordination provisions, then the trustee or the holders will have to repay that money to the holders of the senior debt.

Even if the subordination provisions prevent us from making any payment when due on the subordinated debt securities of any series, we will be in default on our obligations under that series if we do not make the payment when due. This means that the trustee under the subordinated debt indenture and the holders of that series can take action against us, but they will not receive any money until the claims of the holders of senior debt have been fully satisfied.

The subordinated debt indenture allows the holders of senior debt to obtain a court order requiring us and any holder of subordinated debt securities to comply with the subordination provisions.

Defeasance, Covenant Defeasance and Satisfaction and Discharge

When we use the term defeasance, we mean discharge from some or all of our obligations under the indenture. If we deposit with the trustee funds or government securities, or if so provided in your prospectus supplement, obligations other than government securities, sufficient to make payments on any series of debt securities on the dates those payments are due and payable and other specified conditions are satisfied, then, at our option, either of the following will occur:

 

    we will be discharged from our obligations with respect to the debt securities of such series (“legal defeasance”); or

 

    we will be discharged from certain specified covenants we make in the applicable indenture for the benefit of such series and the related events of default will no longer apply to us (“covenant defeasance”).

If we defease any series of debt securities, the holders of such securities will not be entitled to the benefits of the indenture, except for our obligations to register the transfer or exchange of such securities, replace stolen, lost or mutilated securities or maintain paying agencies and hold moneys for payment in trust. In case of covenant defeasance, our obligation to pay principal of and any premium and interest on the applicable series of debt securities will also survive.

 

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We will be required to deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the deposit and related defeasance would not cause the holders of the applicable series of debt securities to recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. If we elect legal defeasance, that opinion of counsel must be based upon a ruling from the United States Internal Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect.

In addition, we may satisfy and discharge all our obligations under the indenture with respect to debt securities of any series, other than our obligation to register the transfer of and exchange debt securities of that series, provided that either:

 

    we deliver all outstanding debt securities of that series to the trustee for cancellation; or

 

    all such debt securities not so delivered for cancellation have either become due and payable or will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year, and in the case of this bullet point, we have deposited with the trustee in trust an amount of cash sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness of such debt securities, including interest to the stated maturity or applicable redemption date.

No Personal Liability

No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, manager, partner (whether general or limited), unitholder or stockholder of the Company, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of us under the debt securities or the indentures or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of debt securities by accepting a debt security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the debt securities. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

Default, Remedies and Waiver of Default

You will have special rights if an event of default with respect to your series of debt securities occurs and is continuing, as described in this subsection.

Events of Default

Unless your prospectus supplement says otherwise, when we refer to an event of default with respect to any series of debt securities, we mean any of the following:

 

    we do not pay the principal of and any premium on any debt security of that series on the due date;

 

    we do not pay interest on any debt security of that series within 30 days after the due date;

 

    we do not deposit a sinking fund payment with regard to any debt security of that series within 60 days after the due date, but only if the payment is required under provisions described in the applicable prospectus supplement;

 

    we remain in breach of our covenants regarding mergers or sales of substantially all of our assets or any other covenant we make in the indenture for the benefit of the relevant series, for 90 days after we receive a notice of default stating that we are in breach and requiring us to remedy the breach, which notice must be sent by the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the relevant series of debt securities;

 

    we file for bankruptcy or other events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to the Company occur; or

 

    if the applicable prospectus supplement states that any additional event of default applies to the series, that event of default occurs.

 

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We may change, eliminate, or add to the events of default with respect to any particular series or any particular debt security or debt securities within a series, as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs

If you are the holder of a subordinated debt security, all the remedies available upon the occurrence of an event of default under the subordinated debt indenture will be subject to the restrictions on the subordinated debt securities described above under “—Subordination Provisions” and any restrictions specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Except as otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, if an event of default has occurred with respect to any series of debt securities and has not been cured or waived, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of all debt securities of that series then outstanding may declare the entire principal amount of the debt securities of that series to be due immediately. Except as otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, if the event of default occurs because of events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to the Company, the entire principal amount of the debt securities of that series will be automatically accelerated, without any action by the trustee or any holder.

Each of the situations described above is called an acceleration of the stated maturity of the affected series of debt securities. Except as otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, if the stated maturity of any series is accelerated and a judgment for payment has not yet been obtained, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of that series may cancel the acceleration for the entire series.

If an event of default occurs, the trustee will have special duties. In that situation, the trustee will be obligated to use those of its rights and powers under the relevant indenture, and to use the same degree of care and skill in doing so, that a prudent person would use in that situation in conducting his or her own affairs.

The trustee is not required to take any action under the relevant indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable protection from expenses and liability. This is called an indemnity. If the trustee is provided with an indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it, the holders of a majority in principal amount of all debt securities of the relevant series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee with respect to that series.

Before you bypass the trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect your interests relating to any debt security, all of the following must occur:

 

    the holder of your debt security must give the trustee written notice that an event of default has occurred with respect to the debt securities of your series, and the event of default must not have been cured or waived;

 

    the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of all debt securities of your series must make a written request that the trustee take action because of the default, and they or other holders must offer to the trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee against the cost and other liabilities of taking that action;

 

    the trustee must not have taken action for 60 days after the above steps have been taken; and

 

    during those 60 days, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of your series must not have given the trustee directions that are inconsistent with the written request of the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of your series.

You are entitled at any time, however, to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on your debt security on or after its stated maturity (or, if your debt security is redeemable, on or after its redemption date).

 

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Book-entry and other indirect owners should consult their banks or brokers for information on how to give notice or direction to or make a request of the trustee and how to declare or cancel an acceleration of the maturity.

Waiver of Default

The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of any series may waive a default for all debt securities of that series. If this happens, the default will be treated as if it has not occurred. No one can waive a payment default on any debt security, however, without the approval of the particular holder of that debt security.

Annual Information about Defaults to the Trustee

We will furnish each trustee every year a written statement of two of our officers certifying that to their knowledge we are in compliance with the applicable indenture and the debt securities issued under it, or else specifying any default under the applicable indenture.

Modifications and Waivers

There are four types of changes we can make to either indenture and the debt securities or series of debt securities issued under that indenture.

Changes Requiring Each Holder’s Approval

First, there are changes that cannot be made without the approval of each holder of a debt security affected by the change under the applicable debt indenture, including, among others:

 

    changing the stated maturity for any principal or interest payment on a debt security;

 

    reducing the principal amount, the amount payable on acceleration of the maturity after a default, the interest rate or the redemption price for a debt security;

 

    permitting redemption of a debt security if not previously permitted;

 

    impairing any right a holder may have to require purchase of its debt security;

 

    impairing any right that a holder of a convertible debt security may have to convert the debt security;

 

    changing the currency of any payment on a debt security;

 

    changing the place of payment on a debt security;

 

    impairing a holder’s right to sue for payment of any amount due on its debt security;

 

    except as provided under “—Defeasance, Covenant Defeasance and Satisfaction and Discharge,” releasing any liens that may have been granted to secure the debt securities;

 

    reducing the percentage in principal amount of the debt securities of any one or more affected series, taken separately or together, as applicable, and whether comprising the same or different series or less than all of the debt securities of a series, the approval of whose holders is needed to change the indenture or those debt securities or waive our compliance with the applicable indenture or to waive defaults; and

 

    changing the provisions of the applicable indenture dealing with modification and waiver in any other respect, except to increase any required percentage referred to above or to add to the provisions that cannot be changed or waived without approval of the holder of each affected debt security.

 

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Changes Not Requiring Approval

The second type of change does not require any approval by holders of the debt securities affected. These changes include clarifications and changes that would not adversely affect any debt securities of any series in any material respect. Nor do we need any approval to make changes that affect only debt securities to be issued under the applicable indenture after the changes take effect. We may also make changes or obtain waivers that do not adversely affect a particular debt security, even if they affect other debt securities. In those cases, we do not need to obtain the approval of the holder of the unaffected debt security; we need only obtain any required approvals from the holders of the affected debt securities. We may also make changes to conform the text of the applicable indenture or any debt securities to any provision of the “Description of Debt Securities” in this prospectus or the comparable section in your prospectus supplement, to the extent such provision was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of such indenture or debt securities.

Modification of Subordination Provisions

We may not amend the indenture related to subordinated debt securities to alter the subordination of any outstanding subordinated debt securities without the written consent of each holder of senior debt then outstanding who would be adversely affected (or the group or representative thereof authorized or required to consent thereto pursuant to the instrument creating or evidencing, or pursuant to which there is outstanding, such senior debt). In addition, we may not modify the subordination provisions of the indenture related to subordinated debt securities in a manner that would adversely affect the subordinated debt securities of any one or more series then outstanding in any material respect, without the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all affected series then outstanding, voting together as one class (and also of any affected series that by its terms is entitled to vote separately as a series, as described below).

Changes Requiring Majority Approval

Any other change to a particular indenture and the debt securities issued under that indenture would require the following approval:

 

    If the change affects only particular debt securities within a series issued under the applicable indenture, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of such particular debt securities; or

 

    If the change affects debt securities of more than one series issued under the applicable indenture, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of all debt securities of all such series affected by the change, with all such affected debt securities voting together as one class for this purpose and such affected debt securities of any series potentially comprising fewer than all debt securities of such series, in each case, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to such indenture for all or any particular debt securities of any series. This means that modification of terms with respect to certain securities of a series could be effectuated without obtaining the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of other securities of such series that are not affected by such modification.

The same majority approval would be required for us to obtain a waiver of any of our covenants in either indenture. Our covenants include the promises we make about merging or selling substantially all of our assets, which we describe above under “—Mergers and Similar Transactions.” If the holders approve a waiver of a covenant, we will not have to comply with it. The holders, however, cannot approve a waiver of any provision in a particular debt security, or in the applicable indenture as it affects that debt security, that we cannot change without the approval of the holder of that debt security as described above in “—Changes Requiring Each Holder’s Approval,” unless that holder approves the waiver.

 

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We may issue particular debt securities or a particular series of debt securities, as applicable, that are entitled, by their terms, to separately approve matters (for example, modification or waiver of provisions in the applicable indenture) that would also, or otherwise, require approval of holders of a majority in principal amount of all affected debt securities of all affected series issued under such indenture voting together as a single class. Any such affected debt securities or series of debt securities would be entitled to approve such matters (a) pursuant to such special rights by consent of holders of a majority in principal amount of such affected debt securities or series of debt securities voting separately as a class and (b) in addition, as described above, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to the applicable indenture for such debt securities or series of debt securities, by consent of holders of a majority in principal amount of such affected debt securities or series of debt securities and all other affected debt securities of all series issued under such indenture voting together as one class for this purpose. We may issue series or debt securities of a series having these or other special voting rights without obtaining the consent of or giving notice to holders of outstanding debt securities or series.

Book-entry and other indirect owners should consult their banks or brokers for information on how approval may be granted or denied if we seek to change an indenture or any debt securities or request a waiver.

Special Rules for Action by Holders

Only holders of outstanding debt securities of the applicable series will be eligible to take any action under the applicable indenture, such as giving a notice of default, declaring an acceleration, approving any change or waiver or giving the trustee an instruction with respect to debt securities of that series. Also, we will count only outstanding debt securities in determining whether the various percentage requirements for taking action have been met. Any debt securities owned by us or any of our affiliates or surrendered for cancellation or for payment or redemption, for which money has been set aside in trust, are not deemed to be outstanding. Any required approval or waiver must be given by written consent.

In some situations, we may follow special rules in calculating the principal amount of debt securities that are to be treated as outstanding for the purposes described above. This may happen, for example, if the principal amount is payable in a non-U.S. dollar currency, increases over time or is not to be fixed until maturity.

We will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders that are entitled to take action under either indenture. In certain limited circumstances, only the trustee will be entitled to set a record date for action by holders. If we or the trustee sets a record date for an approval or other action to be taken by holders, that vote or action may be taken only by persons or entities who are holders on the record date and must be taken during the period that we specify for this purpose, or that the trustee specifies if it sets the record date. We or the trustee, as applicable, may shorten or lengthen this period from time to time. This period, however, may not extend beyond the 180th day after the record date for the action. In addition, record dates for any global debt security may be set in accordance with procedures established by the depositary from time to time. Accordingly, record dates for global debt securities may differ from those for other debt securities.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

If any debt securities cease to be issued in registered global form, they will be issued:

 

    only in fully registered form;

 

    without interest coupons; and

 

    unless we indicate otherwise in your prospectus supplement, in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.

Holders may exchange their debt securities for debt securities of smaller denominations or combined into fewer debt securities of larger denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed. You may not

 

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exchange your debt securities for securities of a different series or having different terms, unless your prospectus supplement and the supplemental indenture with respect to your debt securities provide for such exchange.

Holders may exchange or transfer their debt securities at the office of the trustee. They may also replace lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated debt securities at that office. We have appointed the trustee to act as our agent for registering debt securities in the names of holders and transferring and replacing debt securities. We may appoint another entity to perform these functions or perform them ourselves.

Holders will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange their debt securities, but they may be required to pay for any tax or other governmental charge associated with the exchange or transfer. The transfer or exchange, and any replacement, will be made only if our transfer agent is satisfied with the holder’s proof of legal ownership. The transfer agent may require an indemnity before replacing any debt securities.

If we have designated additional transfer agents for your debt security, they will be named in your prospectus supplement. We may appoint additional transfer agents or cancel the appointment of any particular transfer agent. We may also approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts.

If the debt securities of any series are redeemable and we redeem less than all those debt securities, we may block the transfer or exchange of those debt securities during the period beginning 15 days before the day we mail the notice of redemption and ending on the day of that mailing, in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing. We may also refuse to register transfers of or exchange any debt security selected for redemption, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed portion of any debt security being partially redeemed.

If a debt security is issued as a global debt security, only DTC or other depositary will be entitled to transfer and exchange the debt security as described in this subsection because the depositary will be the sole holder of the debt security.

The rules for exchange described above apply to exchange of debt securities for other debt securities of the same series and kind. If a debt security is convertible, exercisable or exchangeable into or for a different kind of security, such as one that we have not yet issued, or for other property, the rules governing that type of conversion, exercise or exchange will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Payments

We will pay interest, principal and other amounts payable with respect to the debt securities of any series to the holders of record of those debt securities as of the record dates and otherwise in the manner specified below or in the prospectus supplement for that series.

We will make payments on a global debt security in accordance with the applicable policies of the depositary as in effect from time to time. Under those policies, we will pay directly to the depositary, or its nominee, and not to any indirect owners who own beneficial interests in the global debt security. An indirect owner’s right to receive those payments will be governed by the rules and practices of the depositary and its participants.

We will make payments on a debt security in non-global, registered form as follows. We will pay interest that is due on an interest payment date by check mailed on the interest payment date to the holder at his or her address shown on the trustee’s records as of the close of business on the regular record date. We will make all other payments by check at the paying agent described below, against surrender of the debt security. All payments by check will be made in next-day funds—i.e., funds that become available on the day after the check is cashed.

 

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Alternatively, if a non-global debt security has a face amount of at least $1,000,000 and the holder asks us to do so, we will pay any amount that becomes due on the debt security by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account at a bank in New York City, on the due date. To request wire payment, the holder must give the paying agent appropriate wire transfer instructions at least five business days before the requested wire payment is due. In the case of any interest payment due on an interest payment date, the instructions must be given by the person or entity who is the holder on the relevant regular record date. In the case of any other payment, payment will be made only after the debt security is surrendered to the paying agent. Any wire instructions, once properly given, will remain in effect unless and until new instructions are given in the manner described above.

Book-entry and other indirect owners should consult their banks or brokers for information on how they will receive payments on their debt securities.

Regardless of who acts as paying agent, all money paid by us to a paying agent that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after the amount is due to a holder will be repaid to us. After that two-year period, the holder may look only to us for payment and not to the trustee, any other paying agent or anyone else.

Paying Agents

We may appoint one or more financial institutions to act as our paying agents, at whose designated offices debt securities in non-global entry form may be surrendered for payment at their maturity. We call each of those offices a paying agent. We may add, replace or terminate paying agents from time to time. We may also choose to act as our own paying agent. We will specify in the prospectus supplement for your debt security the initial location of each paying agent for that debt security. We must notify the trustee of changes in the paying agents.

Notices

Notices to be given to holders of a global debt security will be given only to the depositary, in accordance with its applicable policies as in effect from time to time. Notices to be given to holders of debt securities not in global form will be sent by mail to the respective addresses of the holders as they appear in the trustee’s records, and will be deemed given when mailed. Neither the failure to give any notice to a particular holder, nor any defect in a notice given to a particular holder, will affect the sufficiency of any notice given to another holder.

Book-entry and other indirect owners should consult their banks or brokers for information on how they will receive notices.

Our Relationship with the Trustee

The prospectus supplement for your debt security will describe any material relationships we may have with the trustee with respect to that debt security.

The same financial institution may initially serve as the trustee for our senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities. Consequently, if an actual or potential event of default occurs with respect to any of these securities, the trustee may be considered to have a conflicting interest for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. In that case, the trustee may be required to resign under one or more of the indentures, and we would be required to appoint a successor trustee. For this purpose, a “potential” event of default means an event that would be an event of default if the requirements for giving us default notice or for the default having to exist for a specific period of time were disregarded.

 

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Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process

The Indenture will provide that the Company will appoint CT Corporation System as its agent for service of process in any suit, action or proceeding with respect to the Indenture and the Notes brought in any U.S. federal or New York state court located in the City of New York and will submit to such non-exclusive jurisdiction.

Enforceability of Judgments

Since substantially all of the assets of the Company are outside the United States, any judgment obtained in the United States against the Company may not be collectable within the United States.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities offered by this prospectus from time to time in one or more transactions:

 

    directly to purchasers;

 

    through agents;

 

    to or through underwriters or dealers; or

 

    through a combination of these methods.

A distribution of the securities offered by this prospectus may also be effected through the issuance of derivative securities, including without limitation, warrants, exchangeable securities, forward delivery contracts and the writing of options.

In addition, the manner in which we may sell some or all of the securities covered by this prospectus includes, without limitation, through:

 

    a block trade in which a broker-dealer will attempt to sell as agent, but may position or resell a portion of the block, as principal, in order to facilitate the transaction;

 

    purchases by a broker-dealer, as principal, and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;

 

    ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker solicits purchasers; or

 

    any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

In addition, we may enter into derivative or hedging transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. In connection with such a transaction, the third parties may sell securities covered by and pursuant to this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, as the case may be. If so, the third party may use securities borrowed from us or others to settle such sales and may use securities received from us to close out any related short positions. We may also loan or pledge securities covered by this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement to third parties, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, as the case may be.

A prospectus supplement with respect to each series of securities will state the terms of the offering of the securities, including:

 

    the terms of the offering;

 

    the name or names of any underwriters or agents and the amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them, if any;

 

    the public offering price or purchase price of the securities and the net proceeds to be received by us from the sale;

 

    any delayed delivery arrangements;

 

    any initial public offering price;

 

    any underwriting discounts or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation;

 

    any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

    any securities exchange on which the securities may be listed.

 

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The offer and sale of the securities described in this prospectus by us, the underwriters or the third parties described above may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions, including privately negotiated transactions, either:

 

    at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

 

    in an “at the market” offering within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act of 1993, as amended;

 

    at prices related to the prevailing market prices; or

 

    at negotiated prices.

General

Underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms that participate in the distribution of the offered securities may be “underwriters” as defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profits they receive on the resale of the offered securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We will identify any underwriters, agents or dealers and describe their commissions, fees or discounts in the applicable prospectus supplement, as the case may be.

Underwriters and Agents

If underwriters are used in a sale, they will acquire the offered securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the offered securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions. These sales will be made at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of the sale. We may offer the securities to the public through an underwriting syndicate or through a single underwriter. The underwriters in any particular offering will be mentioned in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, as the case may be.

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the offered securities will be subject to certain conditions contained in an underwriting agreement that we will enter into with the underwriters at the time of the sale to them. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities of the series offered if any of the securities are purchased, unless the applicable prospectus supplement says otherwise. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed, reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

We may designate agents to sell the offered securities. Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, the agents will agree to use their best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment. We may also sell the offered securities to one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. These firms will remarket the offered securities upon purchasing them in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to the terms of the offered securities. A prospectus supplement or other offering materials, as the case may be, will identify any remarketing firm and will describe the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and its compensation.

In connection with offerings made through underwriters or agents, we may enter into agreements with such underwriters or agents pursuant to which we receive our outstanding securities in consideration for the securities being offered to the public for cash. In connection with these arrangements, the underwriters or agents may also sell securities covered by this prospectus to hedge their positions in these outstanding securities, including in short sale transactions. If so, the underwriters or agents may use the securities received from us under these arrangements to close out any related open borrowings of securities.

 

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Dealers

We may sell the offered securities to dealers as principals. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public either at varying prices to be determined by the dealer or at a fixed offering price agreed to with us at the time of resale.

Direct Sales

We may choose to sell the offered securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved.

Institutional Purchasers

We may authorize agents, dealers or underwriters to solicit certain institutional investors to purchase offered securities on a delayed delivery basis pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified future date. The applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, as the case may be, will provide the details of any such arrangement, including the offering price and commissions payable on the solicitations.

We will enter into such delayed contracts only with institutional purchasers that we approve. These institutions may include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions.

Indemnification; Other Relationships

We may have agreements with agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms, and their affiliates, may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business. This includes commercial banking and investment banking transactions.

Market-Making, Stabilization and Other Transactions

There is currently no market for any of the offered securities, other than our common shares which are listed on the NYSE Amex and the Toronto Stock Exchange. If the offered securities are traded after their initial issuance, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price, depending upon prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities and other factors. While it is possible that an underwriter could inform us that it intends to make a market in the offered securities, such underwriter would not be obligated to do so, and any such market-making could be discontinued at any time without notice. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to whether an active trading market will develop for the offered securities. We have no current plans for listing of the debt securities, undesignated shares or warrants on any securities exchange or quotation system; any such listing with respect to any particular debt securities, undesignated shares, or warrants will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, as the case may be.

Any underwriter may engage in stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Rule 104 under the Exchange Act. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase the underlying security in the open market for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions.

Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would be in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may, if they commence these transactions, discontinue them at any time.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP will issue an opinion about certain legal matters with respect to the enforceability of debt securities and warrants for us. Certain matters relating to Bermuda law regarding the validity of common shares and undesignated shares will be passed on by Appleby. In connection with any particular offering of the securities in the future, the validity of those securities may be passed upon for us by Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, Appleby or such other counsel as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any underwriters will be advised about the other issues relating to any offering by their own legal counsel.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of TransAtlantic Petroleum, Ltd. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and for each of the years in the three years ended December 31, 2014, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The audit report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, contains an explanatory paragraph that states during 2014 TransAtlantic acquired Stream Oil and Gas, Ltd., and management excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of TransAtlantic Petroleum, Ltd.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, Stream Oil and Gas, Ltd.’s internal control over financial reporting associated with total assets of $126.6 million and total revenues of $1.9 million included in the consolidated financial statements of TransAtlantic Petroleum, Ltd. and subsidiaries as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of TransAtlantic Petroleum, Ltd. also excluded an evaluation of internal control over financial reporting of Stream Oil and Gas, Ltd.

The consolidated financial statements of Stream as of November 30, 2013 and for the year ended November 30, 2013 incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been audited by Davidson & Company LLP, chartered accountants, as stated in its report incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS

The information incorporated by reference in this prospectus regarding estimated quantities of proved reserves applicable to our oil and natural gas properties in Turkey as of December 31, 2014 were prepared or derived from estimates prepared by DeGolyer and MacNaughton, independent petroleum engineers, based on guidelines established by the SEC. The estimates applicable to our properties in Turkey are incorporated by reference in this prospectus in reliance on the authority of such firm as experts in these matters.

The information incorporated by reference in this prospectus regarding estimated quantities of proved reserves applicable to our oil and natural gas properties in Albania as of December 31, 2014 were prepared or derived from estimates prepared by Deloitte LLP, independent petroleum engineers, based on guidelines established by the SEC. The estimates applicable to our properties in Albania are incorporated by reference in this prospectus in reliance on the authority of such firm as experts in these matters.

 

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MATERIAL CHANGES

There have been no material changes to us since December 31, 2014 that have not been described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” certain information we have filed with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to documents we have filed with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below, excluding any disclosures therein that are furnished and not filed:

 

    Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, filed on March 16, 2015;

 

    Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, filed on May 11, 2015;

 

    Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 18, 2014 and filed on November 19, 2014, as amended by Amendment No. 1 on Form 8-K/A filed on January 30, 2015;

 

    Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 5, 2015, January 14, 2015, February 10, 2015, February 25, 2015, March 26, 2015, April 23, 2015, April 27, 2015, May 27, 2015 and June 12, 2015;

 

    The description of our Common Shares, which is contained in Amendment No. 1 to Form 8-A, filed on March 6, 2014, as updated or amended in any amendment or report filed for such purpose.

In addition, all documents we subsequently file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the initial filing of the registration statement related to this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the securities described in this prospectus, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be part of this prospectus from the respective dates of filing such documents. Information contained in this prospectus modifies or supersedes, as applicable, the information contained in earlier-dated documents incorporated by reference. Information contained in later-dated documents incorporated by reference will automatically supplement, modify or supersede, as applicable, the information contained in this prospectus or in earlier-dated documents incorporated by reference.

We will provide, upon written or oral request, to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of these filings (other than exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in any such documents) at no cost. We can be contacted at the address and phone number indicated below:

TransAtlantic Petroleum Ltd.

16803 Dallas Parkway

Addison, Texas 75001

Attn: Secretary

Telephone (214) 220-4323

Our incorporated reports and other documents may be accessed at our website address: www.transatlanticpetroleum.com or by contacting the SEC as described below in “Where You Can Find More Information.”

The information contained on our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus, and our website address supplied above is intended to be an inactive textual reference only and not an active hyperlink to our website.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can read these SEC filings, and this registration statement, over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at its public reference facilities at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities.

 

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TransAtlantic Petroleum Ltd.

 

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